Ravello

Ravello

Situated along the Amalfi Coast at about 360 meters above the sea level, Ravello is a unique village as it seems suspended between the sky and the sea. Ravello has an important past as witnessed by many ancient monuments. First of all in the main square is possible to visit the Cathedral built in 1086 and dedicated to Saint Pantaleone, and here every year on the Patron Saint's day (27th july) his blood liquefies. Another important monument situated in the square is Villa Rufolo, built in the XIII century by the Rufolo family. Last owner was Sir Francis Neville Reid a scottish botanist who created the beautiful gardens that inspired Richard Wagner in 1880 for the second act of his masterpiece "Parsifal". Villa Rufolo is famous today all around the world for the Festival of Music organized every year from june till september. A few minutes walk from the square is possible to reach Villa Cimbrone wanted at the beginning of last century by Lord Greenthorpe, a noble englishman, it is famous especially for the "neverending view terrace" from which one could admire "the most beautiful view in the world" as said the american writer Gore Vidal, onourary citizen of Ravello. Also the divine Greta Garbo in 1936 stayed at Villa Cimbrone, where she lived a secret love story with the orchestra conductor Leopold Stokowski.

How to reach Ravello

By car: drive up to Sant'Agata and then follow the directions to Positano, drive the Amalfi Coast (s.s. 163) till Amalfi then leave the main road ad follow the directions to Ravello.